@ah4321db: "I haven't used a newsgroup before but felt I needed to join something
where I can get help. advice, support, friendship etc. etc. as I was
told only a month ago that I have Diabetes.  The blood glucose was 17
in a test that had been done to check on my electrolytes as I've been
on diuretics for a while.  I am getting confused regarding testing -
everything I read says test, test, test and when I asked my GP about
testing he said he would do that.
A month ago my test was 17 and two weeks later it was 10 and an hbca
(I think is what he said) was 10.8% which showed I'd had diabetes at
least for three months.  When I asked about the next blood test I was
told to "come back in August".  This along with all other things re
diabetes is causing me confusion.  Is there anyone out there who can
help please?
Anne"
    @johnwilliamson: "<quote>
We'll try:-)
First, have you read?:-
<url>
It's very good advice for the newly diagnosed.
Alan S has a lot of good stuff on his site:-
<url>
The thing is, if you've been newly diagnosed, what most of *us* will say 
is test, test, test until at least you know what does what to your blood 
sugar levels. The NHS line is that doctor knows best, & leave it all to 
them. The delay before your second Hba1C test is normal, as it's a long 
term weighted average reading, with about a 3 to 4 month delay in 
showing the full changes. About half the weight in the average relates 
to the previous 3 weeks, the rest relates to the previous 3 months.
What you test for at home is your current blood glucose level, & it will 
vary according to how recently you've eaten, what it was & how much 
exercise you've taken lately. It's a snapshot, in effect. It normally 
peaks 1 or 2 hours after a meal, & for effective control, you need to 
know the peak level & how long it takes to drop. This takes a *lot* of 
testing at first, but once you're used to the disease & how it affects 
you, you can cut back & only make extra tests if you change your routine.
I know one guy who was recently diagnosed with figures not too far off 
yours, & suggested he go out & buy a test meter. They come with a few 
strips, and if you buy more, they're about 20 to 25 pounds GB for 50. 
With testing & following Jennifer & Alan's advice he got his levels 
under fairly good control quite quickly.
Your figures are going the right way, so that's good news:-)
If you can, cut back on the carbohydrates & take more exercise, both of 
these will help.
Some of the others will be along shortly, no doubt, with more advice.
Don't be afraid to ask questions in here, we don't bite:-)
Welcome to the club nobody wants to join.
Tciao for Now!
John."
    @ah4321db: "<quote>
Hi Alan,
Thank you so much for replying to promptly.  I have looked at the
links you gave and see why testing is deemed so important and I guess
my GP doesn't want me to test myself so I will be looking into buying
my own supplies to help me learn about controlling my diabetes.  I
haven't looked fully at your blog but saw the links there, I think I
may become a regular visitor.  I too take Metformin, 500mg three times
a day and need to learn about their actions upon my body too.  I see
I'm in for a big learning curve.
Anne"
    @ukc802466929: "On Sun, 17 Jun 2007 09:08:32 -0700, anneh <email_address>
wrote:
<quote>
It is one hell of a learning curve! If you can, get your hands on a
copy of Gretchen Becker's Type 2 Diabetes; The First Year. It gives
you all the basics, in reasonable chunks. 
Testing your own blood glucose levels really is the absolute best way
of figuring out what you can eat - it's the best way to work out the
Diet for Anne. One of the most confusing things is what's safe to eat.
Our bodies all react differently to foods, and you'll find that foods
you have problems with at breakfast might be fine at supper - or the
other way round. We can tell you that a lower carbohydrate, low GI
diet is the most likely best solution; but you need to work out the
permutations yourself. For instance, I can't eat oatmeal and parsnips,
but carrots and tomatoes are fine. I know people for whom the exact
opposite are true. 
Exercise is also going to be necessary. Right now you have a lot of
insulin resistance - so your body's finding it really difficult to get
glucose out of your bloodstream into your muscles, where it can be
used. Exercising helps that process along. If you don't do much
exercise now, try gentle walks after lunch and supper. If you are
active - weightlifting to build as much muscles as possible, plus some
endurance work, is the best mix.
And between the Brits, the Canadians and the Australians who hang out
here - there's nearly always someone who can answer questions, listen
to rants, tell bad jokes - whatever : )
Sorry you had to join the diabetic ranks - but there is life after
diagnosis, once you've figured it all out!
Nicky.
T2 dx 05/04 + underactive thyroid
D&E, 100ug thyroxine
Last A1c 5.5%  BMI 25"
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